Exercise for ADHD in College Students
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
The overall objective of this study is to examine physical exercise as an intervention for ADHD. The rationale for the proposed study is that physical exercise could serve as an effective treatment for college students with ADHD that has low costs, low risks, and ancillary health benefits and may address the limitations of existing treatments. The central hypothesis is that college students with ADHD will exhibit greater degrees of improvement in executive functioning (i.e., sustained attention, working memory) immediately following sprint interval training (SIT), relative to non-ADHD peers. This hypothesis was formulated based on preliminary studies demonstrating reduced ADHD symptoms and improved executive functioning following physical exercise. Multiple 2 (ADHD vs. control) x 2 (male vs. female) x 2 (exercise vs. none) repeated measures ANOVAs will be conducted to compare students with ADHD (n = 24) to controls (n = 24). The expected outcomes are to confirm this hypothesis and demonstrate the need for further study of physical exercise. If confirmed, the results will provide pilot data for a larger NIH grant proposal aimed at further examining the acute effects of physical exercise (i.e., improved cognitive functioning immediately following exercise) and also the chronic effects of physical exercise (i.e., improved functioning after engaging in regular exercise for an extended period). This outcome is expected to have an important positive impact because physical exercise may serve as an effective treatment for college students with ADHD that is less risky than stimulants, less time-consuming than therapy, and provides ancillary health benefits (i.e., increasing physical fitness, decreasing obesity).
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial excludes participants using medications that negatively affect cognitive performance, like sedatives or antipsychotics. If you're on such medications, you may need to stop taking them to participate.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Sprint Interval Training, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Sprint Interval Exercise for ADHD in college students?
Is high-intensity interval training (HIIT) safe for college students with ADHD?
How is Sprint Interval Training different from other treatments for ADHD in college students?
Sprint Interval Training (also known as High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT) is unique because it provides immediate improvements in attention, mood, and executive functioning for college students with ADHD, unlike traditional treatments that may take longer to show effects. It is a physical exercise that involves short bursts of intense activity, which can enhance brain function and reduce ADHD symptoms quickly.59101112
Research Team
Cynthia M Hartung, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
University of Wyoming
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for college students aged 18-29 at the University of Wyoming or Laramie County Community College who have ADHD. It's not for those with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, pregnant women, people who can't walk without help, those told by a doctor to avoid exercise, anyone with conditions like heart disease that make exercise risky, or if they're on meds that affect thinking.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Experimental Appointments
Participants attend two in-lab experimental appointments for sprint interval training (SIT) and Non-SIT, completing cognitive tasks and questionnaires.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive performance and mood through questionnaires completed the day after each experimental appointment.
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Sprint Interval Training
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Wyoming
Lead Sponsor